Liverpool vs. Everton – EPL, February 20, 2021

It is another hugely important Merseyside derby on Saturday, as both clubs look to end a poor run of results in the EPL and make another assault at the Champions League places.

Liverpool’s league form has been more alarming, but the Champions League win in the week should have brought back some confidence.

The bookmakers obviously thinks that Liverpool’s recent results are just a blip, and the win against RB Leipzig does suggest that could be the case. But, with a lack of fans at Anfield, this Merseyside derby will not be quite the same – and that could give Everton a chance.

Liverpool had hoped that going one goal up against Leicester on Saturday would end the recent poor run of results. But three goals for the home side in the last 20 minutes meant that Jurgen Klopp’s side was on the end of a heavy defeat and dropped out of the top four.

There is a real question about whether Liverpool will even qualify for the Champions League just one season after winning the EPL title by a huge margin. Injuries have definitely hindered, but there is not the same swagger in the team as last year. The victory over RB Leipzig on Tuesday was desperately needed – and now Liverpool must win its first EPL game in four attempts.

One positive for Klopp is that Everton has not won any of its last three games either – and was completely overwhelmed by an admittedly excellent Manchester City side on Wednesday. Richarlison might have scored his first goal of 2021, but Everton was virtually invisible aside from that.

The good news is that Dominic Calvert-Lewin could return to the team on Saturday after injuring himself in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. He should make a huge difference to Everton’s chances of scoring. But Colombian defender Yerry Mina is set to miss the derby after limping out of the City game.

The odds offered for an Everton win – or even the draw – are very tempting here. But that Champions League win might turn out to be the most important result of the season for Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side will not regain the EPL title, but a top-four finish might be back in its hands now.